We’re pretty sure we’ve never done this before, but our CFO was all, “Hey, it’s the holidays, let’s have some fun,” so we’re breaking new ground: We’re going to let Queerty readers vote on whether we should accept an advertiser’s campaign. And just who might this advertiser be? Oh, just a little organization known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Why, you might wonder, would the Mormon Church even want to reach Queerty‘s audience? That is a good question! It is also one we have yet to receive an answer for! So, we don’t know. But with all the negativity aimed at LDS’s leadership from Queerty‘s writers and readers, maybe they’re trying to get in good with us? Or at least try to convert a few souls?

Because of business contracts in place, we can’t tell you the pricing arrangement (read: how much we would stand to lose by declining the campaign), but suffice to say it’s not an insubstantial amount of money. (The only details we were given, or allowed to share by the higher ups, are that it would easily pay a few months of someone’s home mortgage. Or for a healthy sized family to fly to and visit Disneyworld for a week.) Whatever that means. But it sounds like more than we make!

But given the controversy surrounding LDS, we’ve been given 48 hours to let readers decide whether they want to see the Mormon Church’s ads on this site — or miss out. It’s sort of a crazy proposition, letting readers choose whether we get money or not, especially given the state of gay media today. But anyhow:

You tell us.

More detailed explanations are welcome in the comments.

UPDATE: By a vote of 46-53, you’ve told us you don’t want to see LDS ads on the site. So we’ve declined the ad campaign. Democracy in action! Still think Queerty readers made the right call?

It is obvious that religious zealots with tons of money will buy out gay media. Then we’ll see sham ex-queers praising god for their conversion, in these very same gay outlets. And even worse.

Nov 30, 2009 at 2:22 pm · @Reply ·

Cam

My Ex Mormon friends have been predicting this for a while. They said that after Prop 8 Mormons would be all over the gay blogs trying to play victim and convince gays that Mormons were really just sweetharts and we were wrong to try to prevent them from oppressing us, and it was their free speech rights being violated not our civil rights. They then said, that if that didn’t work, the church, which is run quite like a business would start trying to advertise on gay blogs in order to quash any negative reporting. They hope that by paying a few thousand every few months that they can then pressure the blogs and gay papers to either back off reporting true stories like the couple set upon by church goons for kissing in Salt Lake, or, at minimum pressure them into reporting nicer stories about the Mormon church. Looks like they sure know how their former church oporates.

Nov 30, 2009 at 2:23 pm · @Reply ·

Cam

Oh, and Queerty, how about this. You’ll give them a month of advertising, if they will allow gay ads that celebrate acceptance, civil rights, and support gays right to marry in the church publications. LOL!

Nov 30, 2009 at 2:24 pm · @Reply ·

ChrisM

A big and simple no. Don’t sell out.

Nov 30, 2009 at 2:26 pm · @Reply ·

B

Sure – go ahead and take the money …. and pair their ads
with ones for “Latter Days” or “Confessions of a Mormon Boy”
(if Steven Fales is currently performing it), provided at low cost or as a “community service” for LGBT performers who operate on a very low budget. Or run the ads with an article about how Mormon money influenced the 2008 California election and how they are trying to recover from what turned into a PR disaster for them.

Of course there is a legitimate argument for shutting them out, since they presumably want to influence opinions about their church to reduce the disparaging comments some gays are making about the Mormons, so you’ll have to make a judgment call as to whether that is a real risk – you presumably have seen the ads and your readers have not.

Nov 30, 2009 at 2:31 pm · @Reply ·

terrwill

Jesus I hate you Queerty people right now. Talk about a Sophie’s choice………I tend to be supportive of your sites advertisers. I always click on the banners and would make applicible purchases from your clicks rather than other sites of origin because I know that assists you in revenue and gaining new advertisers to keep the site up and running (hint,hint-other posters :-P ) That being said, I voted #2 to keep you guys around………This one will probably create a firestorm by the posties here. The Moron church is always seeking to convert to its religion. The majority of the homos here seem pretty convinced about their Gayness, I don’t think you’ll loose any =)

Nov 30, 2009 at 2:35 pm · @Reply ·

enrev

You’re selling your soul(s) to the devil; the Mormon church is a CULT. What’s next? Accepting ads from the Scientologists? ~Another ex-Mormon who saw the light (and got the hell out)

I do not see it as a sell out. I think that this blog should have the ability to rise above the petty attitudes and support an inclusive policy.

We will not win the war playing their silly game their way. I say define the battle by heading it off directly. Do not run from the so called enemy. Let them advertise – we want to be treated equally — why not set a good example.

Nov 30, 2009 at 2:39 pm · @Reply ·

pantherq

Only if their models are naked and performing some sort of kinky power scene with their bibles and bicycles.

Nov 30, 2009 at 2:45 pm · @Reply ·

spiritedrandy

I agree with Marty Brown. I feel called by my very progressive Episcopal parish to engage in conversation without conversion. If we don’t communicate, how can we reach common ground?

And isn’t it delicious to have the LDS fund OUR message?

Nov 30, 2009 at 2:49 pm · @Reply ·

cr8nguy

who on here would be converted by their ads???? why not let them waste their money here where no one will likely be truly affected by it? then they’ll have less for donating to NOM. ok, so maybe not MUCH less, but every little bit wasted is good for us, no?

Nov 30, 2009 at 2:58 pm · @Reply ·

Cam

No. 9 · Marty Brown
I do not see it as a sell out. I think that this blog should have the ability to rise above the petty attitudes and support an inclusive policy.

We will not win the war playing their silly game their way. I say define the battle by heading it off directly. Do not run from the so called enemy. Let them advertise – we want to be treated equally — why not set a good example.
____________________________________________________

We ARE treating them equally. They are trying to deny us our civil rights, deny us access to benefits, healthcare and the church and BYU will kick out students who come out as gay, unless there is publicity, then they will only reprimand them. So by not allowing them access to gay blogs to advertise in we are absolutly setting the example of treating them in an equal manner to which they are treating us. Again, if they will allow gay friendly ads in the church publications then I have no problem with Queerty allowing their ads. However, as we all know they are hoping that they can use their ad dollars to pressure gay blogs to either not write about them at all, or write only puff pieces. The strategy is obvious.

I think I would be ok as long as a) LDS can’t legally go after you for having opposing views towards their church (past or future defamation) and b) Queerty donates all 100% of the money received by LDS to fuel the equality cause. Doing so would be very Robin Hood of Queerty.

I would vote above but you don’t seem to have that option.

Nov 30, 2009 at 3:03 pm · @Reply ·

unsterblich88

How about you guys take the money you make from the Mormons and spend it on a gay ad on one of THEIR websites?

Why not take it — less money for them to spend elsewhere — possibly on campaigns to bash us. It’s a win/lose, with a win in the gay column.

Nov 30, 2009 at 3:07 pm · @Reply ·

Jayle

No, don’t do it. Web advertising is a quick and dirty end-run to editorial control, especially when there’s a non-trivial amount of money being thrown around: Put up something that the advertiser doesn’t like, and they’ll threaten to pull out. An organization the size of the LDS can afford to drag the resulting litigation out as long as possible, and everyone who reads this site knows damn well that they aren’t afraid to spend a lot of money to perform unethical acts.Further, accepting their ads is liable to piss a lot of readers off. It could also jeopardize your relationship with other advertisers and organizations.

I think that as long as the ads aren’t too offensive, let the LDS Church throw some money this way. I wonder if they’d let Queerty post ads on their Deseret News site?

Nov 30, 2009 at 3:14 pm · @Reply ·

Orpheus_lost

Why do people still think they can get something for nothing? The LDS isn’t throwing money out there for kicks, they’re buying space to use for their own ends. What better place to tell us dirty fags how much god hates our sinful ways than a site dedicated to us?

I won’t have any part in helping those hateful bastards and I hope Queerty decides the same thing. I know that the first mormon ad I see on this site will be the last. I’m sure many more will follow.

Otherwise, in the immortal words of Bernadette as portrayed by Terence Stamp: “You’ve got to be f—ing joking.”

Nov 30, 2009 at 3:17 pm · @Reply ·

Chip

I like #3 and #16.

Nov 30, 2009 at 3:19 pm · @Reply ·

FakeName

Take the money and place your own ads directly above and below theirs offering tidbits of Mormon history, like “Joseph Smith made up the Book of Mormon while staring into his own hat” and “Until 1978, the Mormons taught that black people were cursed by God”.

Nov 30, 2009 at 3:27 pm · @Reply ·

Republican

I have many mormon friends and relatives who I’d do almost anything for (and they’d do the same for me), so I approach any issue involving the LDS Church from a slightly different perspective than most gays. That having been said, I have to admit that this is not an easy question. The idea that someone mentioned of taking the money and spending it on pro-gay causes is a good one, but there is a possible downside. What about the confused teenager who finds himself on this site? Do we want him to receive advertisements from the mormons and possibly get sucked in to a world of self-hate?

Look, if this was the ELCA (liberal Lutherans) or another church that was pro-gay (or at least, not anti-gay), I’d have no problem with it, but the LDS Church still encourages its members to reject their true sexual orientations. Sure, lots of mormons are gay-friendly, but the Church itself, as of now, is not. Maybe in 10 years when its President changes his mind (again), but for right now, I’m against the idea of spreading its message.

Nov 30, 2009 at 3:34 pm · @Reply ·

YellowRanger

At present I can’t think of a stronger word than no; so I’ll just stick with no.

I for one would jump ship and start getting my morning fap material elsewhere. This place would just feel tainted.

Is there a quid pro quo that they expect with regard to content? Taking their money could have a Trojan Horse effect. Other advertisers may well be turned off and withhold their advertising dollars. Queerty’s budget could find itself beholden to an entity that would look for just the right time to pull the financial rug out from under you. So, ‘No’ on that possibility, and ‘No’ on principle.

Nov 30, 2009 at 3:49 pm · @Reply ·

Ricky Leliefeld

I think the idea of if queerty allows them space on their pages we should be allowed to advertise in their church bulletins.Let them know that we are in no way forbidding them to place advertising,but Queerty wants the same access to their publications. I think a good look before you leap is in order here,You want to end up in nest of vipers,then go ahead.

Take their money. It’s hard finding advertising dollars these days – if they want to give you money, take it.

Like the previous commenter said – that leaves less money for them to spend on fighting against equality.

Nov 30, 2009 at 4:01 pm · @Reply ·

bryan

I agree, take the money. No one is going to pay attention to the ads anyway.

Nov 30, 2009 at 4:02 pm · @Reply ·

Cam

You’re already showing their ads on this page so it looks like you’ve already taken their money. I’m going to be very curious to see if you back off on them and start doing pro-Mormon puff pieces in response to their advertising dollars.

Nov 30, 2009 at 4:20 pm · @Reply ·

Cam

My Mormon friend just made the best comment when I told him about this. His response is “They do not want gays in the church, they do not want to recruit any of Queerty’s readers because openly gay people are not welcome in the church, therefore the ONLY reason they would do this is to try to exert pressure on Queerty to not publish unflattering stories. He said it is 100% that is the only reason they are doing this.

Nov 30, 2009 at 4:23 pm · @Reply ·

schlukitz

Sure. And when they have completely taken over the site, then we can deal with Mormom “moderators” who will dictate to us what we can and cannot say and toss us off of “their property” if we “offend”, just like in real life.

Why do the big bucks always win out in the end, just like in real life?

Nov 30, 2009 at 4:23 pm · @Reply ·

AxelDC

I said “yes”, because Mormons deserve to support gay causes after spending millions to fight against our rights. They can afford it if they are spending $3-8 billion to build a shopping mall in downtown SLC.

That said, I find this very odd since the purpose of the example ad is not one of their famous “We’re the Mormons” PR campaign, but an explicit recruitment device. The purpose of the ad is to link you to their online missionary recruiters, who want to baptize you as a Mormon. The problem with that is that they excommunicate people simply for being gay, so why go to the trouble of recruiting members you will have to excommunicate shortly?

It would be a bit like the US Navy or Air Force posting ads here, and then telling you that if you are gay, they will kick you out. Why would they bother recruiting on a gay site when they have such explicitly anti-gay policies?

I hope Queerty has enough integrity to report the facts on their advertisers. Other blogs, such as Perez Hilton and Matt Drudge, have surrendered their journalistic integrity because TLC or John McCain starting buying ads from them. Is Queerty going to be afraid of losing ad revenue when the Mormons start funding anti-marriage campaigns in New York or New Jersey?

Nov 30, 2009 at 4:31 pm · @Reply ·

TADPOLICUS WEX

WTF is wrong with you “editors” for even considering this. The Mormon church bankrolled the defeat of Prop 8 and you want to subsidize them further. Why not let the KKK or white power groups advertise seeing as they hold us in the same esteem as the Mormons, you know fuck it, from now on mormon is low caps, fucking cult. If you take the money you are are garden variety whores.

Absolutely NO!! That bit of money will not affect their bank balance what-so-ever. BUT how will they use the idea that you took their money , in the future? You are on the hook. You are putting money before your own position. Apparently being gay is just a phase. Money is more important than yourself. You are becoming just like them.

Nov 30, 2009 at 4:36 pm · @Reply ·

TJ

HELL NO! All these fascists want to do is tell us what we can or can’t do with our genitals and now they’re looking to expand that to the keyboards of the writers of Queerty. They’re playing the “keep your enemies closer” card which means this site will be that much closer to being controlled by the very entities it tries to defend our community against. Indifference is worse than evil, especially if it is bought. If we are to overcome and gain full participation in our “democratic” society, then we need to draw clear lines as to who is and who isn’t on the side of human rights. Did Martin Luther King Jr. sell ad space in his newsletters to the Montgomery Transit Authority? I think not.

As a highly educated, 7th generation Mormon I would suggest that you stick to your principles and not accept the money. I am quite certain it would never be offered so it is not something anyone needs to stress over.

If you were to accept the money, supposing it was offered, it would suggest that money could triumph over your principles or that you are not guided by principles at all. These would also be logical assumptions if an official Mormon publication accepted money from an overtly gay organization.

I can suggest a question that is much more realistic and likely to happen, “Should you accept money from Evergreen International?”

I enjoyed your hypothetical question/poll and the comments to it. I would suggest that conversation from two polarizing organizations can be thoughtful and respectful when emotion is curbed and each side tries to carefully consider other viewpoints. That is one reason I read gay publications. I have even posted comments to some of the articles. In all fairness, I have to say that my comments have been allowed by moderators and other posters have been gracious and respectful.

It is more distressing to experience parties who cannot discuss an issue rationally and logically than parties who disagree. Disagreement will always occur amongst people.

Democracy only works well when conversation can take place. I would hope that we all would welcome continuing and respectful conversation.

Don’t take their money. Once you have their money, you’re indebted to them. They call the shots, and if there is something on here that bashes their church or their political stance they threaten to remove themselves and their money from your site. You don’t take a loan from the Devil and expect him to not want anything in return. Stay strong you guys, don’t let the promise of tons of money woo you into a deal that could destroy this site.

Nov 30, 2009 at 5:03 pm · @Reply ·

TADPOLICUS WEX

Krista
“Democracy only works well when conversation can take place. I would hope that we all would welcome continuing and respectful conversation.”

mormons represent less than 3 percent of the Californian population and managed to raise and spend the lion share of yes on 8 funds. This is tyranny via placing the rights of the minority to a popular vote & bankrolling it from the pulpit.I suspect you troll gay websites to taunt us, which is downright cruel given the recent success of your organized criminal organization; however we are accustomed to your sadism. In regards to your “higher education”, well, it’s nullified by the dangerous & neurotic belief system your cult espouses.

You are not welcome in our space and while I personally can’t
enforce this as I do not own this website, I can knock your fascist messengers off my porch with my proud gay foot the next time they ring my fucking doorbell!

Nov 30, 2009 at 5:15 pm · @Reply ·

AxelDC

How about instead of taking their money, you exchange ad space. You post their ads, and they let Queerty advertise in the Deseret News, the Ensign and the New Era.

I say take the money and donate it to a pro-gay marriage campaign. I like the idea of the church giving us the rope with which to hang them.

Nov 30, 2009 at 5:21 pm · @Reply ·

Tom in COS

I say yes, but with a caveat.

What does the contract say? If there is a specific clause that states the Church won’t interfere with the editorial content, I’m all for taking the money and run. Especially if they’re just trying to post a click-thru on the site. The majority of users ignore those anyways. Also if it’s possible, I would advise getting an editorial control clause added. So that if they try and send you material that is unaccpetable to the editor’s, you have some recourse for your decisions.

If that clause isn’t included, or if they try and do an advi-torial, I say no. It will hinder the integrity of the site, such as it is.

Nov 30, 2009 at 5:25 pm · @Reply ·

Anthony in Nashville

If Queerty takes Mormon money, I will not be coming back to this site.

Then again, it’s not like this site has ever been accused of having principles.

Nov 30, 2009 at 5:30 pm · @Reply ·

Cheeky

Ask them to suck your big fat cock and then say, yes!!!
See what they say??? 8-)

Nov 30, 2009 at 5:33 pm · @Reply ·

tohellandback1st

Marty Brown, #9 said it best. #46 sounds a lot like what conservative Christians say when their favorite publications do something they think is too gay. be an example for spreading love and acceptance, not hate and division.

Nov 30, 2009 at 5:41 pm · @Reply ·

B

In No. 33 · Cam wrote, “My Mormon friend just made the best comment when I told him about this. His response is ‘They do not want gays in the church, they do not want to recruit any of Queerty’s readers because openly gay people are not welcome in the church, therefore the ONLY reason they would do this is to try to exert pressure on Queerty to not publish unflattering stories. He said it is 100% that is the only reason they are doing this.”

There’s an alternate hypothesis – they don’t like gays picketing their church and generating negative PR for them because the negative PR might impact their efforts to get more members. So, they could be simply trying to generate “warm fuzzy feelings” to reduce the level of hostility against them.

If you show the ads, put the money you get in a separate account and don’t use it or count on it for day-to-day operations. You can donate what you get or you can use it for “special projects”, things you would normally not otherwise do, but make sure you can walk away from them at any time (and if they try to pull strings, turn that into a story, so be careful about any agreement regarding confidentiality of business discussions).

One way to test Cam’s hypothesis versus mine is to put a clause in the contract that says that you reserve the right to write articles about any efforts on the Mormons’ part, no matter how minor, to control your editorial policy. If that kills the deal, it would suggest that Cam’s model is a better fit.

It’s possible of course for both hypotheses to be right as contributing factors, with neither being the whole story.

Nov 30, 2009 at 5:46 pm · @Reply ·

B

In No. 41, Joe Moore wrote, “Don’t take their money. Once you have their money, you’re indebted to them.”

I’d disagree with the indebted part – you are not indebted to someone if that person pays you for a service that you sell,
which would be the case if the ads are accepted.

There are valid arguments on both sides of the question, with some risks that can be mitigated.

Nov 30, 2009 at 5:54 pm · @Reply ·

M

I hope you got paid for this, because the article is all the advertising LDS needs on queerty.

Nov 30, 2009 at 5:54 pm · @Reply ·

Larry

I own a sign company and I refused to take LDS blood money when they asked me to do signs for them. You should also tell them to take a hike, even if it hurts your bottom line.

Nov 30, 2009 at 5:57 pm · @Reply ·

Joey

What the hell is the matter with you people? Why would you even entertain such a stupid fucking idea?

If you want to slowly destroy the gay community, then go ahead and accept the money.

Nov 30, 2009 at 6:09 pm · @Reply ·

Robert

Why the hell not. I think their ads would just provide even more entertainment if 1. They try to look like better ‘tolerating’ people or 2. They try to convert readers

Nov 30, 2009 at 6:23 pm · @Reply ·

dvlaries

I’m already encountering them most every day at Photobucket and at yahoo mail. Isn’t that enough…?

Nov 30, 2009 at 6:25 pm · @Reply ·

Ken S

Part of me says “fuck em! Fag dignity isn’t for sale, and giving ad space to people working against us would be unprincipled and undignified.”

But then there’s the part of me that’s looking at the bigger picture. And that part says “they won’t win over any weak minds here, they won’t convince any of us of their absurd, gay-hating nonsense. So as long as we stand nothing to lose that way, let’s take ’em for all their worth and use every penny of it against them.” Because principles don’t win wars– cash combined with fighting spirit and good strategy does. Their money won’t buy out our spirit, but in our hands it can advance our goals. So I say take their cash, with the understanding that it won’t buy them any editorial leniency or free passes, and then use it to keep fighting them. Create a special “brought to you by the naive, superstitious sheep of the Mormon church” banner for the top of every article about Mormon bad behaviour and interference in civil society. Hammer them with every dime they fork over.

It might seem like “getting into bed with the enemy,” but that’s the place to be if you want to take someone out while they sleep. Be vigilant, be relentless, keep an eye on them at all times and make ’em bleed whenever you get the chance; and if you can cut them with a knife they paid for, so much the better.

Nov 30, 2009 at 6:26 pm · @Reply ·

asa1973

For the sake of any troubled soul just beginning to gain the strength to accept his/her identity who might visit this site, don’t do it. Let the Mormons keep their money. Can you imagine a gay person clicking on the ad, succumbing to the prop8ganda, then deciding to join the Mormon church and denounce his/her sexual identity. Don’t do it. You’ll have the tears, pain, and suppression of those “ex-gay” Mormon converts on your hands!

Nov 30, 2009 at 6:35 pm · @Reply ·

Rikard

This is why I love you Queerty, well that and the hot guys. There are lots of valid arguments here. They will try to use their influetial status as your “sponsor” to influence your editorial decisions. They will try to influence readers opinion with their advertising. They are very adept at the soft sell and there is nothing softer than the eyes of a 19 year old mormon “elder” trying to work his way out of his “same sex attraction” on a mormon “mission”. I advise you to check the advertising contracts they use for church publications. They undoubtedly include clauses about “suitability” that allow them to restrict content. If you would be comfortable advertising in their pubs then you should consider them seriously. Although as an ex-mormon from an openminded mormon family I should also mention IT’S A TRAP!

Nov 30, 2009 at 6:37 pm · @Reply ·

Attmay

I want to see ads for the Mormons like I want to see ads for the KKK, Stormfront, and Al-Qaeda.

Nov 30, 2009 at 6:39 pm · @Reply ·

onefish

Someone mentioned the possibility of a confused teenager coming to this site. I’ve spoken recently to such a confused teenager. They really are confused and could be seriously hurt by encountering such an ad on a gay site. Sincerely, we need to protect the children.

I respectfully suggest that you donate all monies they pay you to Americans United for Separation of Church and State. I think that would be perfectly fitting for the circumstances.

Nov 30, 2009 at 6:59 pm · @Reply ·

mmmexperimental

Years ago Ernie Chambers, Nebraska’s only black state rep, ran for Governor or President (I can’t remember which) and took campaign money from a known group that was bigoted against blacks and equality. He was derided for it and was asked why he would take money from such a group. His answer was (paraphrasing): ‘If they’re giving the money to me, they can’t spend it on hate’. So go ahead Queerty! Take the money and the advertising if it is not hateful and keep it where you can do some good with it and keep it out of the bigoted hate circulation. In these tough economic times if it doesn’t compromise you, take it and they can’t spend it elsewhere! :)

I don’t understand enough about ad money to make the call, but the idea to send all their cash to the gay marraige fight sounds like a good one. On the other hand, I’d use it on fights we can actually win, domestic partnership in battle ground States and the repeal of DADT.

Nov 30, 2009 at 7:15 pm · @Reply ·

Disgusted American

No..No …and by the way NO!

Nov 30, 2009 at 7:28 pm · @Reply ·

flattopSF

Really? Would you whore yourself and your self-respect and your standards to the corporation which considers gay people better off dead (S.W. Kimball, Miracle of Forgiveness)? Would you lower yourselves to the level of the National Organization for Marriage, which is the Mor[m]on cult’s bend-over bitch for $$$?

If you guys are that silly I can’t see any way for the GLBT community to ever gain respect from others: it would be obvious we have none for ourselves.

Nov 30, 2009 at 7:35 pm · @Reply ·

mark

I voted NO.
I have half my extended family as lax Mormons who are cool with me being gay, but they aren’t who would be buying ads from LDS.

They attacked OUR families in Hawaii, California, Arizona, Maine, and Washington State. They will attack us in NJ, NY, and IA.

F*CK allowing them access to a queer site. Think they’d allow you access to their quorum of 12 meeting?

Nov 30, 2009 at 7:37 pm · @Reply ·

Sydney

Fuck. No.
I already feel shitty enough for giving them my money when I liked that piece of crap that is Twilight, and now you want me to see them all over my favourite gay website?
NO.

Nov 30, 2009 at 7:42 pm · @Reply ·

Vo Dong Cung

The Mormon stole every things from us, now their men involving child sex abuse. They are worry about the story spreading. I dare all Mormons who smart enough to prove their loving god without making any question.

Nov 30, 2009 at 7:45 pm · @Reply ·

castaway

I say no. After the lengths they have gone to pushing us down, it would be insulting to the readers. Is there really anything left to discuss with the LDS? Their actions and history speak fairly clearly that they wish we didn’t exist, and that they are nothing but a loony cult with lots of members and cash. Let them stick to infecting the comments.

Nov 30, 2009 at 7:52 pm · @Reply ·

blackjack44

initially i thought hell no screw the mormons, it does seem kind of hypocritical to take their money. but then again, 99% of the ppl who regularly visit and enjoy this site will pay little to no attention to their ads and the site will be making money. its a tough call but i would be happy either way.

Nov 30, 2009 at 7:57 pm · @Reply ·

Former Mormon

This is NOT an olive branch.

This is an attempt to control the Church’s image, and stamp out bad publicity. There are many reasons why they want to advertise here, and none of them are benevolent. Please don’t do this. It would hurt your website and the Gay Rights movement in general.

mainly because there is no religion that should advertise – ever. they are not a business. and if they are a business, then they need to pay taxes.

I’m not christian by any means, but i believe Jesus got violently upset when the merchants in the temple were selling animals and profiting off of weary travelers coming to Jerusalem. you can’t morally profit ‘in the name of god’.

and yet every religion does (just turn on the tv on sunday).

Mormons force tithing making it a direct contradiction to the life of Jesus. It is also the most easily debunked theology in the world whether through genetics, archeology, history, geography, or simple common sense. are people free to believe it? yes.

but what responsibility will Queerty play if just one young 17 year old clicks the banner and decides to pursue LDS? Will Queerty pay for his therapy 10 years from now when he realized it’s bullshit and he JUST wasted 10 years of his life following something that goes against common sense? I know you can be needlessly cutthroat and pointless, but are you really that… mean?

for the greater good of our community, promote organizations, and products, but don’t promote religion.

Nov 30, 2009 at 8:14 pm · @Reply ·

1EqualityUSA

LDS would use it against us. I can hear it now, “Mormons don’t hate gays, we even do business with gays.” Or, “Yeah, gays hate Mormons, but not enough to refuse our money.” Then, the worst scenario, all of the newly disenfranchised, ex-communicated, angry souls who languidly wash up on the shores of Queerty Island might fall for their spiel. Queerty, if you wouldn’t open the door of your own home to these guys, why would you do it here? Reenactment: The doorbell rings, you look through the peep hole and see the white shirts, thin ties, immaculate hair cuts, and white teeth….Open? Stay quiet? Open, even though they look as queer as can be? Stop breathing and hope the sprinklers kick in. Open? Mimic a huge dog barking. I never get tired of the “Progressive” photographs. My vote is “no” because they want it. Couldn’t we all just send a dollar in the mail to cover the loss of revenue?

You guys taking the money helps us how? It lines YOUR pockets and let’s YOU enjoy the money at OUR expense. It’s not like you’re going to use the money and donate it to the gay cause. You’ll use it to “pay a few months of someone’s home mortgage. Or fly a healthy sized family to visit Disneyworld for a week.” This is just a vote so you can stand yourselves in the morning. Don’t do it.

Nov 30, 2009 at 8:20 pm · @Reply ·

1EqualityUSA

Kristin Hersh of the Throwing Muses and 50 Foot Wave has a tip jar on her site. I don’t use PAYPAL, but you can buy on their merchandise site units, each unit is a dollar and give a tip that way, avoiding PAYPAL. Just put a tip jar next to those babes in the progressive ads. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Here is a transcript of my chat. Notice how she ducked out at the end. I think its funny that she was willing to dispense with saving my soul so that she could attend her meeting. Isn’t my mortal soul more important than a meeting!!??

You are speaking live with Kelsey, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Information provided in this session is to provide assistance only and is not an official statement of the Church.

Kelsey: Hi this is Kelsey, how are you today?
Keith: Good. I am wondering if you can tell me why Mormons hate homosexuals so much. They spend so much money opposing gay rights. Why?
Kelsey: LDS people do not hate homosexuals. We do not believe that homosexuality is appropriate though.
Kelsey: Thus, to protect the family, much effort is put forward to protect what we believe is correct.
Keith: How is it not appropriate? In what way?
Kelsey: We know that God has ordained marriage between a man and a women and anything that goes contrary to this is not correct.
Keith: I thought Mormons were the ones who believed in multiple wives? Its not just between one man and one woman?
Kelsey: We actually don’t believe in multiple wives. There was a time in the earlier years of the church that due to deaths of many womans husbands, multiple wives were permitted in order to support families, but that practice is no longer in effect.
Keith: I see. Do Mormons believe in divorce?
Kelsey: We believe that marriage is sacred and in temples we are married for eternity. Divorce is discouraged, but we do realize that there are some situations that simply call for a divorce due to abuse or other issues. Ideally though, both spouses would work
Kelsey: together to save their marriage.
Kelsey: Mormons who are divorced are not in any way looked down upon or treated differently. We all realize that no one is perfect and we all have different challenges that we must overcome.
Keith: Is a Mormon allowed the marry a non-Mormon?
Kelsey: We all have free agency from God, or the ability to choose what we want to do. LDS members can marry whomever they would like. It obviously is encouraged to marry someone who has the same beliefs and values as you though, also, in order to be married
Kelsey: for eternity in the temple, both the man and wife must be worthy members of the LDS church.
Keith: Does LDS subscribe to The Book of Mark?
Kelsey: I’m sorry, but I’m not sure if I know what you are referring to. We read the Book of Mark in the Bible and we also have the Book of Mormon. Are either of these what you mean?
Keith: Yes, the Book of Mark in the Bible.
Kelsey: we do use the King James version of the Bible, so yes.
Keith: 10:8-12 says that marriage is forever. So how can you permit or recognize divorce?
Kelsey: That is great, Mark is definitely saying that marriage under the proper authority of God is forever. We just realize that we are not perfect and therefore can not judge others for divorce, even if it isn’t right. I just know that God will make all
Kelsey: things right in the end.
Keith: Ok, how about Deut 22:13-21m which says that if a woman is not a virgin when you marry and have relations, you should stone your wife to death in front of her family.
Kelsey: There are lots of things that happened in the Bible in the ancient days that were traditions of that time, such as this and other things like sacrifices. That is the blessing of having a modern prophet today though, who can let us know the will of God
Kelsey: for our times.
Kelsey: Keith, I know sometimes there are lots of things that we don’t understand, but I have come to realize that if I rely on the Lord and have faith, all things will work out.
Kelsey: Sorry, but I have to run to a meeting, but I would love to answer some more of your questions. I can either answer them via email, arrange another time to chat, or I can even transfer you to someone else right now who can answer more of your questions.
Keith: Sure, you can give me your e-mail address.
Kelsey: You can send your questions to askaquestion02@mtc.byu.edu and just put in the subject box “kelsey” and then I can get back to you and we can even arrange to chat some more if you’d like.
Kelsey: is your email keithontap@gmail.com?
Keith: Yes.
Kelsey: okay. great. I look forward to getting your email. Have a great night!

Thank you for taking the time to chat with us and for your interest in the Church. Please know that you are welcome to worship with us any time, request a visit from Mormon missionaries, order a Book of Mormon, or continue to browse our Web site to learn more answers to life’s greatest questions.

Close this window

Nov 30, 2009 at 8:27 pm · @Reply ·

mikey94

The church is a death fetish. What will God make right in the end, your bad style and boring sex positions?

Nov 30, 2009 at 8:43 pm · @Reply ·

mdh60610

Take the MONEY!

As a gay ex-Mormon who was extorted by these bastards for years for tithing, fast offerings and ward budgets I say get something in return. I agree with everyone who knows anything about the Morg that if this is true (and not just a test to get hits for Queerty) for year end numbers) they are doing this to influence stories or the vulnerable.

That being said the LDS would NEVER dump $$$ into a site that regularly links to NSFW sites. I say it is a ruse by Queerty. Keep the Mormon bad press alive. I love the number of comments these stories generate. We need to protect the youth and identify confused souls who come to this site for a different perspective.

Nov 30, 2009 at 9:09 pm · @Reply ·

chelesley

This is exactly why churches always have such influence, money. It really is a quandary, but one that can be easily solved if principles are used instead of being left at stake.

Nov 30, 2009 at 9:30 pm · @Reply ·

Corey

Money is money. The mormon church won’t miss it and Queerty can do without it. I don’t want to see those ads.

Nov 30, 2009 at 9:47 pm · @Reply ·

B

No. 57 · asa1973 wrote, “Can you imagine a gay person clicking on the ad, succumbing to the prop8ganda, then deciding to join the Mormon church and denounce his/her sexual identity.”

In general, the answer is “no” with the exception of some kinky guy who wants to become an ex-gay so some gay guy can then seduce him. Then there’s the possibility of someone with an underwear fetish being turned on by their “sacred undies”.

If you are worried about very young gays confused about their sexuality, place the Mormon ads right next to ones for ex-Mormon support groups.

Nov 30, 2009 at 9:54 pm · @Reply ·

john.

Why would you consider this?

Because of the money? Just by entertaining this notion, you have already created a buzz about the Mormon Church – this is already more press time than they deserve.
I don’t need to remind you about how the financed the Yes on Prop 8. Do you really believe that them placing an ad on your, or any other site, is going to make a difference?

I’ve cast my vote for no. It may make a difference, it may not – but I stood up for the principles that I believe in – unlike you, who seems to be willing to sell out your principles. I’m very disappointed in you. I will not be coming back to your website and I will encourage everyone else I know, via my social networking, to do not come back either.

So good luck with those ads.

Nov 30, 2009 at 10:03 pm · @Reply ·

chelesley

magical undies? as in it turns blue when pee hits it?

Do they have cute pictures on them? Smurfs maybe.

Nov 30, 2009 at 10:05 pm · @Reply ·

romeo

@ Queerty: This all depends on what kind of ethics you want to maintain. I am totally in agreement with those here that surmise the Mormons are attempting to buy influence. THEY WANT TO CENSOR YOU ! And if it’s obvious they are censoring you, and it will be obvious to us bunch of bitches, then we’ll stop coming here. You need the hit count, don’t you?

Can you resist the temptation to censor yourselves in order to keep the Mormon contract? They will dump you if you don’t. Don’t forget how much they hate us. And how much money they’ve spent to screw us.

I’m giving you a big, fat NO, but it will be interesting to see what you do. LOL

I say yes, if they are that stupid to make such a massive inefficient media buy (I.e. gay media), I say take their money and run. Nobody on this site is going to pay attention to that ad, and or just laugh at it and they are financially losing at the same time. By taking the money to run the ad, in effect you are taking money out of their bank account that could be use to fund campaigns that may REALLY hurt us.

Nov 30, 2009 at 10:35 pm · @Reply ·

romeo

@ Todd, it’s a piddling amount of money in that respect. I think in its own REALLY QUEER way, queerty has maintained a semblance of integrity and kept a lively forum open on our issues. I’d hate to see them compromised. It’s like taking blood diamond advertising or the like.

Nov 30, 2009 at 10:42 pm · @Reply ·

romeo

Queer as in weird, not gay. LOL

Nov 30, 2009 at 10:44 pm · @Reply ·

kevin57

I voted yes. I hope they post some cute looking Mormon boys.

Nov 30, 2009 at 10:54 pm · @Reply ·

fuzzypony

No. Seriously, you need to maintain some level of credibility here, and taking money from these people is not going to support that.

Unless, of course, you regularly “allow” hackers to deface the ads. That, I could maybe live with. That and a big disclaimer: “We only did it for the money!” Which kinda goes back to that credibility issue.

Nov 30, 2009 at 10:56 pm · @Reply ·

B

No. 83 · chelesley wrote, “magical undies? as in it turns blue when pee hits it?” I think they have a loop so some celestial being can hook you and pull you up to heaven when the world ends, or something like that. The end of the world is supposed to be really quick so you’ve got to be really efficient at saving the ever increasing number of Mormons – its part of their mythology, no doubt developed while Joseph Smith was secretly hitting the bottle. That’s why they ban the use of alcohol – Smith wanted to save it all for himself. :-)

Regardless (and aside from the above no-doubt-in-poor-taste joke about the Mormons’ “prophet”), the term is used in the movie Latter Days, where some mostly gay waiters are chatting about one waiter’s new Mormon-missionary neighbors, and they bet that the hottest of the lot can get one of these missionaries into bed and get some undies off of him as proof: “Sacred undies? I’ve got to see this.” Sure enough, one of the missionaries is gay (but doesn’t know it yet). It’s a cute movie, with a shallow, hot guy who picks up a new date every night ending up really falling in love for the first time with the gay missionary.

Seriously, do the Mormon guys think they’re going to be hauled up to heaven by their DICKS! or are you just starting rumors. LMAO!

Nov 30, 2009 at 11:07 pm · @Reply ·

tinkerbell

I will stop visiting this website the first Mormon ad I see here. I only visit objective websites, and if I see an advertisement for a particular religion (or political party, or anything else that involves my civil rights, for that matter) I then realize that critical objectivity has been compromised. Mormonism, Catholicism, Southern Baptism, Islamism, Hinduism, fascism, Republicanism, Democraticism…ads from any of these and I’m out. I want free thinkers, not bigots who want to convince me otherwise by buying out the blogs.

Nov 30, 2009 at 11:18 pm · @Reply ·

schlukitz

Should Queerty Let the Mormon Church Advertise Here?

Now let me ask Queerty a question”

Should The Jewish Week let the Nazi party advertise in their paper?

Yeah. Yeah. I know. I’ll get accused (again) of playing the Hitler card.

You know what? I don’t give a good flying f**k! Because if Queerty does sell out for the money, I suspect there won’t be any more gay blogs to read or post here for very long…that is, if Queerty still has a gay readership.

Many a gay bar and club has been taken over by the heteros because of money. Why should a gay website be any different, I guess?

In light of what happened in California with Prop. 8, I find it absolutely mind-boggling that this question should even be put to the gay readership who have faithfully supported this site for so long now.

Someone once said that everyone has a price. It’s simply a question of how much?

Where are the principles?

Where is the integrity?

But, most importantly…

Where is the self-respect…

that you would even consider taking blood money?

Queerty, the right thing to do would been to have told them, flat-out, to get off our sidewalk hit the road!

(Remember that little issue in SLC, do you?)

Nov 30, 2009 at 11:31 pm · @Reply ·

schlukitz

Typo: …and hit the road.

Nov 30, 2009 at 11:33 pm · @Reply ·

Lily

No.

I’m straight. I’m a Christian. I vote pro-gay rights and I abhor the LD$ “church.”

There is NOTHING innocent or easy or string-free when it comes to LD$. Ever.

A big part of me thought it was funny, and imagined myself coming here to click away tithing money (that members would be FURIOUS about) but the truth is, LD$ does NOTHING that isn’t absolutely fantastic for their bottom line in some way. This has NOTHING (and I mean NOTHING) to do with being good for you, and everything to do with them thinking they are the only valid voice of God on earth. You know what that voice says? That you are filthy and hated by God, that you are perverted, that you are no better than an animal. That is what they think of you. Do you REALLY want to take their money? It doesn’t “get back” at them in anyway. They are a multi-billion dollar a year industry. A couple of months mortgage doesn’t mean squat in light of that.

I say you’re selling out your integrity to accept a few cents (in reality) from a corporation that has done so very much to oppress you and take away your rights. They tell their members that you are child molesters and are unfit to be parents. That lie about your ability to be faithful to each other. They are LEADING THE PACK in hatred toward you. Just say no to the mormon hate money. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING is worth it.

Nov 30, 2009 at 11:40 pm · @Reply ·

Lily

I have to add:

I believe that putting their ads on your site says that you approve of them and their message. It’s not about whether it’s the kind thing to do to let them have a “voice” here. It’s not about whether a fresh from the closet gay boy stumbles upon the ad. It’s about saying, “We’re willing to align ourselves with this org and what they stand for.”

If that’s what you want to do- fine. I’m guessing this place will clear out real quick.

Nov 30, 2009 at 11:43 pm · @Reply ·

tazz602

WWJD – Would Jesus take the money of hypocrites to fund his last supper, hell no. And neither should you. (I’m not saying you’re on your last supper, I hope not, but you get the point)

Nov 30, 2009 at 11:46 pm · @Reply ·

Wized Up

As an ex-Mormon I can tell you that there are two ulterior motives behind everything the Cult does, and they go hand in hand. One is image, the other is money. After the bad press they got from the Prop 8 debacle, they seem to be trying to cozy up to the gay community in superficial ways so they can improve their image. They’re the big bully on the playground who, once you kick back in his face runs crying and screaming to teacher. This is a win-win situation for the Cult. If you don’t take they’re money, they can always say they’ve offered support but were shut out. If you do take it, they can say they’re supporting of gays (conditionally, of course. Just so long as gays don’t have sex or have equal civil rights). I say take the money. Either way, their massive, high priced, New York Jewish PR firm is going to spin it into a win for them.

Dec 1, 2009 at 12:26 am · @Reply ·

Mike

My primary school Head Master had something to say.

If you can’t say anything nice about someone then don’t say anything to them at all.

With that in mind, since most religious factions can’t say anything nice about us, then we shouldn’t be giving them the opportunity to say anything to us in our own spaces on the web.

Dec 1, 2009 at 12:44 am · @Reply ·

TomEM

No comment.

Dec 1, 2009 at 12:58 am · @Reply ·

hyhybt

I voted “yes” but really, it depends on information you can’t give. If you get paid only when the ads are actually clicked on, you’re in for quite a loss; otherwise, hey, it’s money from an organization that most here would like to have less, and the Mormons know what they’re getting into.

Dec 1, 2009 at 1:31 am · @Reply ·

B

No. 91 · romeo wrote, “@ B #90: “Seriously, do the Mormon guys think they’re going to be hauled up to heaven by their DICKS! or are you just starting rumors. LMAO!”

It’s something I heard, so who knows, but here’s what is supposed to be a picture of the things, taken from the front:

Let me suggest that you don’t wear these to an underwear party or while trying to get a job as an underwear model. Don’t show them to Calvin Klein either if you want him to hire you!

If the loop is there, it must be in the back, with the big
codpiece presumably preventing some discomfort if hauled up by some “celestial being” essentially grabbing your ass! That’s why the Mormons make such a big deal about sodomy – the “celestial being” grabbing your ass has first dibs (OK, I made that last one up).

The idea is to label the ads as being from the Mormons, so that readers can use that information to block them. If you get paid by the number of times the ad is displayed, rather than the “click through” rate, then you get paid and readers who are offended (and whose browsers support the standard) get the things blocked reliably.

QUEERTY is not responsible for user filtering of content, so you can legitimately collect $$$$ from the Mormons while viewers see nothing at all.

Dec 1, 2009 at 1:45 am · @Reply ·

1EqualityUSA

B, Those undies were mighty frightening. If I have odd dreams tonight you are squarely to blame.

As nicely as I can put it: If Queerty accepts the Morons’ blood money, then Queerty, collectively, will be a bigger whore than Glenn Beck, and a bigger cunt than Maggie Gallagher.

Dec 1, 2009 at 2:16 am · @Reply ·

mike

Why would they want to?I doubt the church would EVER advertise here,EVER!

Dec 1, 2009 at 2:29 am · @Reply ·

HiveRadical

Go for it.

Dec 1, 2009 at 2:30 am · @Reply ·

BradAZ

I say GO FOR IT! I’m a former gay Mormon missionary and keep in touch with Mormon culture since virtually my entire family (fifth generations on both father and mother’s family lines) are devout. I’m a bleeding heart liberal, queer as a 2 dollar bill, pro-gay man. But I have to say that believe it or not, the Mormons have moved toward TOLERANCE (which isn’t half enough) which is probably why they want to advertise on your site to begin with.

Mark my words, the Mormon church will in several decades come out with a “revelation” that gay men are part of their plan and that monogomous gay marriages are OK. Before you roll on the floor with laughter or write me off as crazy, consider the Mormon’s history. Once a radical sect, they became an all American church when forced by American society to abandon polygamy in 1890. Since then, they’ve always been a few decades behind, but they invariably adapt to American culture. In 1978, they suddenly allowed black men to hold the priesthood. In recent years, they’ve mellowed considerably on gay men within their religion, basically agreeing that they cannot change their sexuality and should not marry women. That’s a big step for a religion that used to call homosexuality (a term they rarely use anymore, preferring “same sex” and even now using gay) the sin next to murder. Those days are gone.

I’m not a practicing Mormon as I don’t believe the doctrine, but I do think they are moving slowly toward eventual acceptance. With hundreds of thousands of gay men in the church, how can they not?

Dec 1, 2009 at 2:38 am · @Reply ·

Jonny

It’s simple, I wouldn’t read health magazine with cigarette advertisements in it, and I wont read a gay blog with hate groups advertised in it.

Dec 1, 2009 at 2:38 am · @Reply ·

Mark from NM

If you accept their money, then this is one gay man who will NEVER visit this site again. Tell those homophobic myth believing morons to FUCK OFF!!!!!

Dec 1, 2009 at 2:59 am · @Reply ·

Steve

Printed news and editorial publications have had to deal with this sort of ethical issue a long time ago. They generally take the money and run the ads, but with a few common-sense restrictions. Restrictions like: Ads for alcohol are never placed in the automotive section; and, ads for alcohol and tobacco are never placed in the childrens section, or with the ‘funnies’ that also attract a lot of children. More recently, most print media do not accept tobacco ads at all, and alcohol ads have to have some safety-related content.

The key ethical issue is, of course: Would the ad harm someone? And, the answer is probably not either black or white.

Without having seen the copy, it seems to me that the ads _could_ harm someone. We know that some teenage boys (and presumably, girls) read this site. Many gay boys at that age are just beginning to deal with their own sexuality. Some gay boys turn to religion as a way to avoid having to deal with their own sexuality. That’s why there are so many closeted gay priests. The LDS has, historically, actively suggested to gay teenagers that they should commit suicide. So, it seems to me that falling under the influence of the LDS cult _could_ harm someone, in a concrete and serious way.

The LDS position on homosexuality might be in the process of changing. If it is, they might want to do some outreach, and that could be constructive. But they can do that outreach through their own (owned) publications, first. After they establish the new policy, then their ads might be accepted. But until LDS changes it policy, we have to trust that they would follow their previous policy, and that it would harm some of the gay youth who have contact with them.

Ads paid for by liquor companies, with the primary message that you should use a designated driver, have sometimes appeared in the ‘auto’ section of some papers. But they started those campaigns first in other publications.

Dec 1, 2009 at 3:10 am · @Reply ·

Totakikay

The Queerty audience has concurred that the Mormon church can not and should not display advertisements on or near this entire website. The commenters has AFFIRMED this ruling. NEXT TOPIC!

Dec 1, 2009 at 3:23 am · @Reply ·

spindoc

No. 76 · Keith Kimmel ..posted a chat he had on the live Mormon site (That would be advertising here) Notice how the church representatives will rewrite their history to make it more palatable…….

Here is a transcript of part of his chat.

You are speaking live with Kelsey, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Information provided in this session is to provide assistance only and is not an official statement of the Church.

Kelsey: Hi this is Kelsey, how are you today?

Keith: Good. I am wondering if you can tell me why Mormons hate homosexuals so much. They spend so much money opposing gay rights. Why?
Kelsey: LDS people do not hate homosexuals. We do not believe that homosexuality is appropriate though.

Kelsey: Thus, to protect the family, much effort is put forward to protect what we believe is correct.

Keith: How is it not appropriate? In what way?

Kelsey: We know that God has ordained marriage between a man and a women and anything that goes contrary to this is not correct.

Keith: I thought Mormons were the ones who believed in multiple wives? Its not just between one man and one woman?

Kelsey: We actually don’t believe in multiple wives. There was a time in the earlier years of the church that due to deaths of many womans husbands, multiple wives were permitted in order to support families, but that practice is no longer in effect.
____________________________________

Ok, Boom! Right there….Polygamy was not put into effect because of the deaths of women’s husbands. The great majority of Joseph Smith’s thirty-three well documented marriages, occurred in 1841-44 in Illinois. There he combined restorationist biblical polygamy with the idea that one gained a higher status in the next life based on the quantity of wives and offspring in this life. Additionally Polygomy was ILLEGAL in Illinois, so he was violating the law. However, now, they church will alter it’s history to pretend that they were out on the Utah Fronteer and were just being generous to older widows. They do this history rewrites with most of their history. You won’t here them talk much about how they believed that blacks were cursed by god and not allowed full membership in their church before approximately 1980 because they haven’t figured out how to lie convincingly while there are still so many people alive who remember that time in the church.

So again, this woman talking to Keith was an official rep of the church, who rewrote their history right then and there just to make them look better and to fit their history into their anti-gay argument. Mormons call this “Lying for the Lord” they believe that it is ok to lie if it furthers the goals of the Mormon religeon.

Dec 1, 2009 at 3:29 am · @Reply ·

schlukitz

@ No. 112 – Totakikay

Um, no. Would that this were so.

I just voted no and of the 1061 votes thus far, 38% (the leading majority) voted yes, take the money.

And thus it would seem that the Mormons have already taken over Queerty before even the first dollar of blood money was fired.

Of course, I could be totally mistaken about that. I mean, the receipt of the first dollar thingy.

Dec 1, 2009 at 3:31 am · @Reply ·

jack

tow words:

PRESIDENT ROMNEY

Dec 1, 2009 at 3:38 am · @Reply ·

schlukitz

@ no. 115 – Jack

PRESIDENT ROMNEY

“Heaven” help us if he does become President! :(

Dec 1, 2009 at 3:41 am · @Reply ·

Totakikay

@ No. 108 BradAZ,
If someone asked a whole group of maybe, 200 Mormon men, to raise their hands if they identify as gay or bisexual probably 90 of them will raise their hands. And those 90 need to leave A.S.A.P and be Agnostic or something.

BTW, I have a relative that shouts, “JESUS CHRIST of latter-day saints!” when they get pissed =P

Dec 1, 2009 at 3:47 am · @Reply ·

Ranger

Yeah, sure, do it

Take the money. Every Penny u take from them is a penny they cant spent elsewhere

and dont forget to ilustrate that advertising with a statement, that the mormons have never let a oppotunity pass to spit and trample on gay people

Dec 1, 2009 at 4:15 am · @Reply ·

Andreusz

Take their money, but make sure that the contract clearly states that they have no control over content.

Dec 1, 2009 at 4:16 am · @Reply ·

Aaron

What the hell QUEERTY???

Dec 1, 2009 at 4:25 am · @Reply ·

Brian NJ

Accepting money from the devil is good, in this case, because it is a fraud on an evildoer. They think they are spreading their message, but their ads will viewed as a memorial to the fallen. The gay teen deaths they have caused, the financially harmed children of gay families. No one will be converted to that wicked church.

But there is a price. Queerty must run a series of critical articles on the LDS, and how they have harmed gay people and families, contemporaneous with the ads. They must bite the hand that feeds them, and bite it so hard they would never think of running an ad on your site again. Of course, your posts will only be telling the truth, but they don’t want that.

You must run the entire youtube of Prayers for Bobby:

Dec 1, 2009 at 8:15 am · @Reply ·

Gary

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Dec 1, 2009 at 9:28 am · @Reply ·

Slider

Who knew that Queerty will sell its soul to the Devil for “advertising revenue”. As some comments said above…..real great for say a teen that comes to the site or someone struggling with coming to terms with their sexual orientation or those of us who come here for one of the few GLBT sites that has GLBT News and events and happenings and lo and behold there is the propoganda spewing from the Mormon Church..no less what it did to our community in California on Prop 8 that had all sorts of spill over effects and chilling effects in other states…

Beyond all that is the troublesome notation that Queerty is even entertaining the thought in the first place….that speaks to Queerty’s lack of integrity more then anything else to me and I will be using other sites if as my source of GLBT news….Does anyone know if Towleroad is part of the same publishing controlling this site?

Dec 1, 2009 at 9:44 am · @Reply ·

Elk

Take that mormon-cult HATER money and you are no better than Judas and his 13 pieces of silver..Take that mormon-cult blood money and this Gay man will drop this Site faster than a Xtian drops their Gay children..

Dec 1, 2009 at 10:17 am · @Reply ·

romeo

45 % voted yes? Wonder how many of that 45 % were Mormon trolls? LMAO !

@ No. 98, I agree that this is a win-win situation for the church, but I disagree slightly with the motives. I think the church is afraid of being accused that they don’t accept gays or want gays in their church. By advertising on a gay site, they are quashing that claim. Even if their money is rejected, though, they can say that they are still inviting everyone to participate in their church. Remember, the church’s main message is, Everyone is a child of God, and everyone needs to hear the gospel. That includes gays. The church would be hypocritical if it sought to advertise everywhere but in gay circles.

Dec 1, 2009 at 10:50 am · @Reply ·

romeo

@ B #102: re: the Joseph Smith picture – looks like gayface to me, but he was such a pervy weirdo, I hate to think of him on the team ( not that we don’t have our share of pervy weirdos LOL ).

Let’s see was it 30 denarii that was the going price for Jesus? And look what that got him, damnation for all time! So I guess if Judah could do it for that, Queerty certainly shouldn’t pass up a couple months of someone’s mortgage.
So yeah, take the money, but then never again speak bad of the church, cus hey, someday in the future they may throw you another 30

— 30 —

Dec 1, 2009 at 11:28 am · @Reply ·

Cam

No. 126 · Bob said…..
@ No. 98, I agree that this is a win-win situation for the church, but I disagree slightly with the motives. I think the church is afraid of being accused that they don’t accept gays or want gays in their church. By advertising on a gay site, they are quashing that claim.
________________________________________________

They aren’t afraid of being accused that they don’t accept gays into their church. They excommunicate gays in the church. Being gay can get you kicked out of BYU also. Again, they aren’t afraid of being labeled unaccepting of gays, what they want is for the gay press to stop researching stories about how they illegally funded political causes, reminding people of their history of not allowing blacks into their church, and any other stories that would be bad P.R.

Dec 1, 2009 at 11:39 am · @Reply ·

Cam

45%? yeah right, and how many were first time registrants, i.e. Mormon’s crashing the site?

The ad says order a free “book of Mormon”. Order as many as you can, it will cost them money, postage and time. When you receive them, send the books to a paper recycling center thereby helping the planet go green by saving trees.

Dec 1, 2009 at 11:50 am · @Reply ·

Cam

No. 130 · Charles Merrill said…
The ad says order a free “book of Mormon”. Order as many as you can, it will cost them money, postage and time. When you receive them, send the books to a paper recycling center thereby helping the planet go green by saving trees.
____________________________________

Don’t, your name goes into their database and you will start getting phone calls, have random church members from your city show up at your door trying to get you to come to services etc… if you think that Telemarketing scams are annoying just wait until the Mormons get your contact information.

Dec 1, 2009 at 11:54 am · @Reply ·

1EqualityUSA

Humans should have been given skunk glands that we could blow at people when they bug us

Dec 1, 2009 at 12:19 pm · @Reply ·

mdh60610

Just saw an old episode of Queer as Folks about the Pink Posse – I think having access to their sites so we can start calling them out on their BS and give some inside information to:

1) Polygomy will be practiced in heaven – so marriage on earth between one mand and one woman is temporary or convenient.

2) Lay clergy (men only) with no skills delving into the sexual lives of their congregations and giving advice on abuse and other serious matters with no training.

3) Catholic Church Sexual Abuse II – I’ve got a story or two to tell and would love a forum to call out by name some of these cowards and bastards that hide behind those tithing $$

4) Racism – updating their doctrine to reflect the PC climate the church now operates in – why wasn’t it right 25 year ago that it has to be changed.

5) Mormons belive the church will one day lead the nation with an apostle or prophet as POTUS. They have a special chamber in the DC temple for this specific purpose – just as in SLC. Why is that Messers Romney, Reid and Beck? Are you OK with that?

6)Why are they the only corporation in the world building a $7B dollar mall in SLC with tithing $$ laundered through LDS Inc.

7)Call them out on their statistics for membership and charitable contributions. Make them pay taxes for breaches on tax exempt status.

8)Just for fun let’s have PROP 69 in every state that will ban same sex door to door proseltyzing.

I am just getting started.

I still think this is just a ruse by Queerty to get hits though.

Dec 1, 2009 at 12:24 pm · @Reply ·

schlukitz

@ no. 132 – 1EqualityUSA

I love it! ;)

Dec 1, 2009 at 12:29 pm · @Reply ·

RichardR

As a former, er, courtesan, I cannot condemn prostitution but there is the reality that the john is entitled to what he wants.

Um…. It’s December. I thought April Fool’s jokes only occurred in April.
Holy Crap. Whatever you do, don’t sell out. Their money is tainted with the “blood” the nation’s anti-gay efforts. Don’t whore yourself out for a few bucks… it’ll come back to bite you in the ass!

Dec 1, 2009 at 1:47 pm · @Reply ·

spiritedrandy

RE:
No. 130 · Charles Merrill said…
“The ad says order a free “book of Mormon”. Order as many as you can, it will cost them money, postage and time. When you receive them, send the books to a paper recycling center thereby helping the planet go green by saving trees.”

I ask that you not do that. Recycling is a really third best solution to saving our planet. First best is not use something at all. That saves the most energy/materials. Second best is to use something in a different way. E.g., instead of throwing out a bowl, use it as a flower pot. That saves the energy/materials that would have been used to make the flower pot. Third best is recycling, because you avoid processing new materials. It’s third best because still spend a lot of energy doing the recycling, including all the energy of moving stuff around. With regard to ordering the Book of Mormon, wasting trees to harm the Mormon church strikes me as a bad idea, because it comes at the expense of the planet and is passive aggressive.

This discussion has been an interesting way to get to know some of my fellow readers. Thanks to all who have participated, including those with whom I disagree.

Dec 1, 2009 at 2:16 pm · @Reply ·

Lily

If you order BoMs just to waste church money you will be contacted and hounded and stalked for a VERY long time by the missionaries and other Mormon church members that believe they can “cure” you. You do NOT want this org to get your info.

Don’t take the money, queerty. Just… don’t.

Dec 1, 2009 at 2:27 pm · @Reply ·

StraightbythegraceofGod

Oh how the tables have turned lmao…Queers want everyone to support them, but when the queers are asked to support someone elses cause there is uproar. I don’t like Mormons any more or less than anyone else does, but I like them a hell of a lot more than the better than thou faggots that feel entitled to shove their gay lifestyles down the throats of Christians…if you don’t like having to live in a country where being gay isn’t accepted as appropriate and gay marriage is illegal…then get the hell out of our country. Go to one where you can live your life in peace, and there will be no more controversy on the subject here…otherwise quit complaining

Dec 1, 2009 at 2:41 pm · @Reply ·

1EqualityUSA

StraightbythegraceofGod said he only stumbled on this site while “researching” NAACP, yeah, right. LLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNTTTTTT!!!

Dec 1, 2009 at 2:47 pm · @Reply ·

hyhybt

Take the money! Just don’t click the links.

And no, thank you but I have no interest it attracting Mormons to my doorbell. For some reason they haven’t come by in years and I’d like to keep it that way. (though the Jehovah’s Witnesses do, about once a month, on Wednesday, at noon, which is convenient because I know when not to answer.)

Dec 1, 2009 at 2:52 pm · @Reply ·

1EqualityUSA

The Thumpers leave pamphlets rubberbanded to our gate. I leave them there, oxidizing in the sun.

Dec 1, 2009 at 2:57 pm · @Reply ·

theravenousllama

No. No. No. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

… I know this is nerdy, but where’s Admiral Ackbar when we need him?

Dec 1, 2009 at 3:34 pm · @Reply ·

Admiral Ackbar

IT’S A TRAP!!!!!

Dec 1, 2009 at 3:46 pm · @Reply ·

Cam

No. 144 · StraightbythegraceofGod said…..
Oh how the tables have turned lmao…Queers want everyone to support them, but when the queers are asked to support someone elses cause there is uproar.
___________________________________________________

LOL!!!!! Give me a break! You know how I can tell you’re a gigantic closet case just screaming to come out? Because REAL straight people don’t create screenames that scream out that they are straight. Because straights are so used to hetrosexuality being the norm that it would never occur to them to make a gigantic deal about their own hetro-ness, because again, thats their norm. YOU on the other hand are making SUCH a huge deal about your “cough” “Straightness” that you are like the little kid with crumbs on his mouth yelling that he didn’t eat the cookie. Seriously, go out, get yourself a boyfriend and stop pretending to be something you’re not Gayboy!…..

Oh, and as for us supporting the Mormons, don’t even try to pretend that somebody trying to keep our lifestyle illegal is somehow the same as a website not wanting to run their ads unless your “Christian” church would be willing to take gay friendly ads. Oh wait, where did you go? Oh, you already left to go look at a gay porn site??? Yeah, not surprising.

Dec 1, 2009 at 4:09 pm · @Reply ·

1EqualityUSA

“But I have urges!”— Homer Simpson

“Oh, that’s just your trouser devil talkin'” —Ned Flanders

Dec 1, 2009 at 4:14 pm · @Reply ·

schlukitz

Well, at least SBTGOG has proven to us that he is literate.

He just read a bumper sticker that said “America, love it or leave it”

Dec 1, 2009 at 4:44 pm · @Reply ·

Steve [Different person #1 using similar name]

I really hate these Mormon pigs. They killed my friend by using shock therapy – not that many years ago. He took his life by jumping off a bridge in front of a truck after the promise of a happy straight life never materialized. I discovered recently that they are still funding programs and publications advocating aversion therapy! They actually keep church approved therapists on their pay role. YES, I CAN BACK THAT STATEMENT UP.
Their company, LDS INC’s has run into a PR nightmare with their gay marriage involvment. Their profits are down – their minions dwindling.

“Lets place a nice cheery christian ad full of love and acceptance, like jesus would, at the gay sites! It will be fun, and soon, everybody will forget how evil we are in mormon land.”
You know, the land with the highest gay teenage suicide rate. The same teenager’s who will come to queerty for refuge and support and find…”A happy mormon ad!” And, the mormons get their way again by tossing their money around, and come out smelling like a rose. Because, their money will keep your web site up.

Dec 1, 2009 at 6:13 pm · @Reply ·

Billy

Take the money and run.

Dec 1, 2009 at 7:26 pm · @Reply ·

schlukitz

39% of the 1380 folks that have responded say yes; take the money.

Who the hell is voting here?

Mormons?

Dec 1, 2009 at 7:38 pm · @Reply ·

schlukitz

Just like voting on Prop 8 in CA and the rejection of gay marriage in Maine, this is also a “vote” that should not be happening.

Dec 1, 2009 at 7:41 pm · @Reply ·

ChrisM

I agree with the surprised reaction to the large amount of “Yes” votes.

I also hope Queerty compares the total of the two “Yes” categories to the total of the two “No” categories and doesn’t just pick the one of the four that gets the most votes. There really should only have been a “Yes” category and a “No” category to begin with. No offense to Queerty, but the second “Yes” option seems more like a joke than an actual option. However, the two “No” options are equally valid and thus divide the nay-sayers more evenly than the supporters.

Dec 1, 2009 at 7:48 pm · @Reply ·

B

No. 143 · Lily wrote, “If you order BoMs just to waste church money you will be contacted and hounded and stalked for a VERY long time by the missionaries and other Mormon church members that believe they can ‘cure’ you. You do NOT want this org to get your info.”

Do you have any independent data on the “hounded and stalked” part?

Otherwise, that raises a possibility I hadn’t thought of – that they might want to maintain a database of gays or gay-friendly individuals. If you click on a link, your browser will set a header telling the server what page you were last visiting, so they’ll know you reached their web site via QUEERTY.

Dec 1, 2009 at 8:42 pm · @Reply ·

B

In No. 155, schlukitz wrote, “39% of the 1380 folks that have responded say yes; take the money. Who the hell is voting here? Mormons?” Hint: look at Billy’s comment (No. 154): “Take the money and run.” Doesn’t sound very “Mormon” to me!

Why not just pair up the ads with pictures of the hottest guys you can find? If you do that, your typical QUEERTY reader won’t even notice those ads!

Dec 1, 2009 at 9:40 pm · @Reply ·

Lily

re: no. 158

I highly doubt that they will keep track of where the numbers come from. The Mormon missionaries prey on the sick, the elderly, teens, those with dementia- ANYONE they can baptize to bump their numbers. I’ve spoken with and read the stories of missionaries that knew full well the person they were baptizing was doing it b/c they thought the mishie was hot, or wanted the attention, or wasn’t in their right mind- but the pressure to baptize is SO STRONG, and it is not uncommon these days for boys to come home with ERO baptisms because no one wants to talk to them. They see ex-Mos and anti-Mos and probably even the GLBT community as a “challenge” and the GENUINELY BELIEVE THEY CAN CHANGE YOU.

So, no, I don’t think they will keep a database tracking who came from Queerty- and if they did, it would only encourage them that they were “inspired” by the Lawd to advertise here and people are really “challenged” and “convicted” by the ads.

Don’t let Mormons fool you: they don’t love you. If you don’t believe me, ask them if you are welcome in their church even if you never change. I don’t even know if they would baptize you if you admitted to being a active member of the GLBT community, but if they do- that’s as far as you’ll ever climb on the Mo ladder until you denounce your evil ways and become straight and admit that they are right all along. The “love the sinner, hate the sinner” bs only lasts up until they’ve TOLD you you’re a sinner- then you’re just wrong.

I still come back to this point though: why would you want to align yourself with a group that so clearly hates you and is actively working to take away your rights? LDS has those banner ads EVERYWHERE, don’t become another group to give your silent “okay” by allowing them to put their name on your page.

Dec 1, 2009 at 10:14 pm · @Reply ·

CT

Are you kidding? No. I won’t come back to this website.

To the folks saying, “sure let them throw their money here, less money to use in battles against us.” come on! seriously? those corrupt bastards have more money than they know what to do with.

how offensive that you would even consider taking money from a group who singlehandedly made sure gays couldnt marry. FUCK THAT!!!

Disgust.

Dec 1, 2009 at 10:54 pm · @Reply ·

Dale

If Queerty cared about what its readers wanted, Davey Wavey would be a bad memory.

Dec 2, 2009 at 1:01 am · @Reply ·

B

Re:No. 160, “I highly doubt that they will keep track of where the numbers come from. The Mormon missionaries prey on the sick, the elderly, teens, those with dementia- ANYONE they can baptize to bump their numbers.”

You missed the point – there are a lot of reasons they might want a database of known gays, particularly ones who are politically active. One reason is for “opposition research”, the sort of thing done in a political campaign. With some “data mining” they can find out a lot about you, just as large corporations do. If they decided you were causing too much trouble in an effort to repeal Proposition Eight, for example, they might try to blackmail you by leaking information that they think you might find embarrassing. It’s not that far fetched – near the end of the Proposition Eight campaign, the “Yes on Eight” side for all intents and purposes tried to blackmail businesses that supported the “No on Eight” campaign by demanding a like contribution to their side, with some silly threat as an incentive.

Dec 2, 2009 at 1:47 am · @Reply ·

christopher di spirito

Queerty is a business and can do whatever it wants but if I see one ad on the site, I’m through with Queerty, and I will remove it from my blogroll and won’t ever return. It works both ways, you know.

Dec 2, 2009 at 8:40 am · @Reply ·

1EqualityUSA

I’m listening, B.

Dec 2, 2009 at 1:30 pm · @Reply ·

TomEM

So Queerty: Have you made up your mind(s) yet?! If not, consider what you think another gay business should do in a similar circumstance (i.e. how would you advise, say, a gay bookstore/coffee-shop/etc. if they were offered Mormon advertising money) … What would your owners/staffers tell them, and why??

Dec 2, 2009 at 4:05 pm · @Reply ·

B

No. 167 · TomEM wrote, “So Queerty: Have you made up your mind(s) yet?! If not, consider what you think another gay business should do in a similar circumstance (i.e. how would you advise, say, a gay bookstore/coffee-shop/etc. if they were offered Mormon advertising money)”

Personally, I think it would be hilarious for a gay bookstore with a small video selection to put a Mormon ad right in the middle of the “erotic” section. http://www.adlbooks.com/ (no Mormon money yet, but some of pictures on the website will get the idea across)

Dec 3, 2009 at 4:06 pm · @Reply ·

TJ

THANK YOU. Thank you to all of those who voted to keep bigotted money out of the coffers of this website. I don’t appreciate that those responsible for running Queerty contemplated the idea but I am very grateful that they had the consideration to put such a controversial issue to a vote by the readers. By sticking together and only seeking support from those who support us, I know that we can make the changes we all desperately hope to achieve.

Dec 3, 2009 at 4:07 pm · @Reply ·

schlukitz

Allow me to join no. 168 – TJ in thanking Queerty for putting this issue up the readers for a vote and those who voted for keeping bigoted money out of the coffers of this website.

As TJ so well put it, in so many words, there is power in numbers.

Dec 3, 2009 at 5:06 pm · @Reply ·

YellowRanger

‘Still think Queerty readers made the right call?’

Absolutely.

Dec 3, 2009 at 5:44 pm · @Reply ·

ChicagoLIberal

I still say – especially now that it is an official NO – Queerty was just playing us for hits.

The only threads that ever generate this much attention are racial and Mormon related topics.

Seriously – most threads never get more than a dozen responses.

I will believe when I see the contract offered.

Dec 3, 2009 at 6:33 pm · @Reply ·

LD

Is Queerty in bed with the Mormon Church? Who cares if they advertise on this site. It’s not like you’re going to donate the money to repeal Prop 8 or any other anti-gay iniciative. This whole self-righteous act is straight out of the Fox News tactics catalog. Shame, Queerty, shame.

Dec 3, 2009 at 6:34 pm · @Reply ·

romeo

Hey, ChicacoLib, ever seen an Adam Lambert thread? LMAO

The morons would totally regret buying in here. They open one of those cozy chat rooms, and we’d all go flooding in teaching THEM a thing or two. Not to mention arranging real world dates with some of their guys. Let’s see, hmmmm, chat room talk. I’ve got it! How about:

Oooooooooh, baby, don’t be so mean to me. I just wanna rub up against you a little…like this. Yeah, honey, it’s hard. Aw c’mon, let me put my tongue in your ear, yeaaah, just like that. Doesn’t that feel good? Huh? Ooooooo, baby, you’re so sweet.

You get the idea. Mormons’ll love it.

Dec 3, 2009 at 11:04 pm · @Reply ·

Cam

No. 172 · LD said…
Is Queerty in bed with the Mormon Church? Who cares if they advertise on this site. It’s not like you’re going to donate the money to repeal Prop 8 or any other anti-gay iniciative. This whole self-righteous act is straight out of the Fox News tactics catalog. Shame, Queerty, shame.
_____________________________________________

Oh Please, advertisers exert control on editorial content. Hence ABC pulling Adam Lambert at the threat of their advertisers. The Momrons would threaten to pull their ads, and they would buy a lot of them because they are the second or third richest religeous organization in the nation, if Queerty ever wrote anything anti-Mormon. So by not accepting ads, they are maintaining editorial freedom.

This is Kelsey. We chatted earlier this week on Monday on LDS/Mormon.org. I really enjoyed talking to you and answering your questions. I was hoping to hear from you and maybe talk some more about some questions you may have about the church or life. I just wanted to let you know that I know the Bible can sometimes be confusing, but what it teaches about Jesus Christ can really help us in our lives. I know that having faith in Jesus Christ can bring us happiness in our lives and that marriage is truly a blessing from God.

I hope you have a great weekend, and I look forward to hearing from you!

I voted yes without thinking. But after reading some of the arguments here, I’ve changed my mind. LDS probably were trying to do damage control for the prop 8 business. And we should keep the hardcore bigots out. Luckily, cooler heads prevailed. Thanks.

Umm… did anyone stop to think that maybe the Church bought the ads from a broker and has no idea that their ads are showing here?

Dec 5, 2009 at 12:05 am · @Reply ·

romeo

No. 177 – CSA, there are no LDS ads here. They approached Queerty about advertising.

Dec 5, 2009 at 12:17 am · @Reply ·

juoking81

I found a HOTTEST interracial club===M i x e d C o n n e c t *.* C_O_M===for black Women and white Men, or black Men and white Women, to interact with each other. Interracial is not a problem here, but a great merit to cherish!